To Win a Loser's Heart

Step 1: Win

At 11:00 o'clock, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, was on the edge of the couch as he was watching the difference on the vote counts grew smaller between him and his biggest rival, Attorney Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.

The incumbent vice president rose to fame when her husband died due to a plane crash. Since then, she had been the senator's biggest threat.

For starters, Leni's image was his complete opposite. She was being portrayed as an honest, kind-hearted and compassionate leader as opposed to his cunning and disciplinarian persona. This public perception made her a perfect candidate as the opposition leader.

"Coffee?" After an hour of his eyes locked on the screen, Bongbong finally shifted them to his cousin, Martin, who was handling him a mug of the beverage.

He accepted it weakly and darted his eyes back on the TV as if something was going to happen if he did not watch it carefully. "Thank you."

"You will be the president." Martin assured him with a tap on his back.

"I know." He declared.

His cousin stifle a laugh causing him to look at him sharply. "What?"

"Anong nakakatawa?" He asked with his brows furrowed.

Martin shook his head dismissively. "Nothing. You don't look as confident as you sound." He finally explained.

Bongbong realized how he was seated at the very edge of the couch with his elbows on his knees — staring at the screen like how they used to watch football games.

He retreated to the backrest of the seat and crossed his legs. "What if she cheats again?" He pointed out — remembering his lost on the vice presidential election six years ago.

"She never did." Martin retorted. "Nagparecount tayo 'di ba?"

His lips formed a thin line. He did not want to accept the fact that the same woman beat her not so long ago. Now, all he wanted was to make her experience the same pain he did.

Back then, they were so confident that he was going to win that vice presidential race against the then congresswoman who suddenly became popular thanks to her husband's demise. His lost was a huge slap on the face for the Marcoses. His family was a line of political figures — starting from his late father whose image was a tyrant dictator.

His train of thoughts was then cut off by a sudden news replacing the big screen of vote counts. On the screen appeared the face he hated the most...

Leni.

Turned out, the program was introducing each one of the presidential candidates. It flashed a couple of clips of the vice president who was smiling and waving — showing her cute small dimples on the edges of her lips.

"Puro pacute." He muttered under his breath with so much hatred.

This did not escape his cousin's ears who was trying to hide his smile. "Cute ba?" He said innocently with his eyes still on the screen — pretending to be carefully watching.

Bongbong gave him a side-eye and stepped on his shoe.

"Oy!" Martin exclaimed and stood.

This commotion got the attention of their family members who were also sitting by the living room — including his mother, Imelda and his sister, Imee.

"What are you two doing?" Imelda, who was on another couch, asked with her  hoarse voice.

Martin pouted and Bongbong knew that his cousin was going to play the victim. "Si Bongets kasi Tita. Sabi n'ya ang cu—"

He grabbed his cousin by the neck and placed his hand on his mouth. "Ang kyutiks mo, Ma. Nasisira na. Magpamanicure ka after nito ha?" He defended then glared at Martin who nodded violently.

"Opo, Tita." His cousin affirmed before he dragged him back to the couch. "Bakit ba? Maganda naman talaga. Hindi kita masisisi." Martin hissed quietly.

His brows met. "Sabi ko 'pacute'. Hindi cute. Ngayon maganda na? You sure know how to twist words."

Martin beamed. "Kaya nga ako ang campaign manager mo eh." Then added. "Pero seriously, baka gusto n'yang maging first lady nang madiligan ka naman." He slapped his cousin's leg. "Arayy."

"Hindi ako papatol sa lutang." He whispered through his gritted teeth to which his cousin responded with a soft chuckle.

"Truth be told, we both know that that woman is insanely intelligent." He said. "Pati ba ikaw nadadala na sa mga trolls?" He continued his laugh.

Bongbong went silent.

"She's impressive. You have to admit." Martin added.

"I will not." He said conclusively.

This made Martin shut up. Only to be replaced by his sister Aimee who came rushing from the kitchen. "Oh my God. Si Leonorrrr!"

Bongbong slapped his forehead — looking at his younger sister who was right in front of the television, trying to pinch the cheeks of the vice president's image.

His youngest sister was inexplicably obsessed with his biggest political rival since she set her eyes on her. They had been having a hard time trying to hide it from the public since Aimee was always talking about her.

"Bakit 'di n'yo ko tinawag? Nasa TV si Leonor?" She said with her hands on her waist as soon as the clips of the vice president were gone from the screen.

He looked over at their mother who had her hand on her forehead — obviously done with his sister. Imee on the other hand was scratching her neck, looking around as if some answer was going to show up.

"Nawala sa isip namin." Bongbong finally answered with an awkward laugh.

Martin then butted in. "Bakit naman inaagawan mo pa ang kuya mo?" He gave darted his eyes on him.

The room went quiet because of this statement.

Aimee finally spoke. "Gusto mo pala s'ya? 'Di mo naman sinabi, kuya. Willing naman ako to share."

His cousin then commented teasingly. "'Yon naman pala eh." His elbows were hitting his left rib softly.

"Ma," He said suddenly. "Kapag hindi tumigil 'to si Martin, sasapakin ko 'to."

Imelda laughed.

At that moment of intense pressure and excitement,  Bongbong found a way to loosen up. Although, the game was not over and he was far from finish.

In just a few minutes, his vote counts rocketed — leaving his opponents including Robredo.

He thought. "She should've applied as the first lady instead."

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A/N: I died yesterday. 'Di ako nakapag-update. 😅